Outboard Motor Carrier

ABSTRACT

An outboard motor carrier device is arranged for carrying an outboard motor including a transom bracket arranged to be clamped onto a transom of a boat. The carrier device includes an upright frame including opposing front and rear sides and a pair of shoulder straps on the front side which are arranged to be secured over respective shoulders of a user. A transom bracket mount in the form of an upright panel is supported on the rear of the frame onto which the transom bracket of the outboard motor is clamped. Typically the transom bracket mount is positioned on the upright frame such that the transom bracket mount is arranged to wholly support the outboard motor thereon without any additional securement of the outboard motor to the upright frame of the carrier device being required.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/159,820, filed Mar. 13, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carrier arranged to support an outboard motor thereon and including a harness arranged to be secured about a torso of a user for supporting the outboard motor on a back of the user.

BACKGROUND

It is common during various recreational activities including fishing, hiking and camping to transport a boat to a remote location by manually carrying the boat and any related equipment. When using an outboard motor with the boat, the motor is commonly awkward and difficult to carry over various terrains. Various prior outboard motor carriers are proposed in the following United States patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,481 by Wengler discloses an outboard motor tote comprising straps which surround the motor casing for supporting a handle at the top side of the motor to facilitate handling of the motor. The position of the handle on the topside of the motor makes it difficult to manually support the weight of the motor over long distances.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,437 by Woodward discloses an outboard motor carrier comprising a wheeled cart including a mount upon which the transom bracket of the outboard motor can be mounted. Although the carrier supports the weight of the motor in a convenient manner, the cart is not suited for use on various terrains encountered while hiking. Furthermore when not in use, the cart is bulky and occupies considerable space in the boat once the destination is reached.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,760 by Blood discloses a harness to be supported about the torso of a user including suitable brackets thereon for facilitating the transport of canoes, small boats and outboard motors. When supporting an outboard motor however suitable straps are required to strap the shaft portion of the motor to the main frame of the carrier device in manner which does not adequately fix the housing of the motor relative to the frame of the harness structure. Accordingly the motor is poorly anchored relative to the harness resulting in shifting weight of the motor during hiking which is awkward to balance and places additional strain upon the person carrying the motor.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,475,135 by Haven discloses a case for outboard motors including shoulder straps for supporting on the back of a person. The case supports the motor by use of straps such that the case is not readily adaptable to supporting different types of motors in a secure manner. The poor anchoring of the motor similarly results in shifting weight of the motor during hiking so as to place additional strain on the person carrying the motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an outboard motor carrier device for carrying an outboard motor including a transom bracket arranged to be clamped onto a transom of a boat, the device comprising:

an upright frame including opposing front and rear sides;

a harness supported on the front side of the frame comprising a pair of shoulder straps arranged to be secured over respective shoulders of a user; and

a transom bracket mount supported on the frame, the transom bracket mount comprising an upright panel including opposing sides joined at an upper free edge so as to be arranged to receive the transom bracket of the outboard motor clamped onto the opposing sides of the upright panel overtop of the upper free edge of the panel;

the transom bracket mount being positioned on the upright frame such that the transom bracket mount is arranged to wholly support the outboard motor thereon with the outboard motor supported along the rear side of the upright frame.

By providing a transom bracket mount with a suitable harness for securement to the torso of a user, the carrier device of the present invention is readily adaptable to any type of motor having a transom bracket thereon. Furthermore the transom bracket mount permits the motor to be fixed to the frame of the carrier device in a manner which prevents shifting of the weight of the motor relative to the user. By further positioning the transom bracket mount spaced below and rearwardly outwardly in relation to the top anchoring of the shoulder straps of the carrier device harness, the motor is supported at a low centre of gravity relative to the user for optimal balance and in a manner which permits the user free movement without interference with the motor supported on their back.

The transom bracket mount is preferably spaced rearwardly outwardly from the rear side of the upright frame opposite the harness.

When the shoulder straps are anchored to the frame at a top end of the straps by respective top anchors, the transom bracket mount is preferably supported on the frame spaced below the top anchors of the shoulder straps of the harness.

The transom bracket preferably mount spans substantially a full width in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the transom bracket mount is substantially parallel to a plane of the upright frame.

Preferably the transom bracket mount is positioned on the upright frame so as to be arranged to support a center of gravity of the outboard motor spaced above a bottom end of the upright frame, and more particularly the transom bracket mount is preferably positioned on the upright frame so as to be arranged to support a center of gravity of the outboard motor in proximity to the top anchors.

Preferably there is provided a pair of access openings at laterally spaced apart positions in the upright frame extending through the upright frame from the front side to the rear side thereof in which the access openings are located in alignment with the transom bracket mount.

When the shoulder straps are anchored to the frame at a top end of the straps by respective top anchors which are adjustable in height along a central portion of the upright frame, preferably the two access openings are laterally spaced apart on opposing sides of said central portion of the upright frame.

When the frame comprises a pair of upright rails along laterally opposing side edges and at least one crossbar mounted to extend laterally between the upright rails, preferably the transom bracket is supported at opposing ends of the upright rails.

The transom bracket mount is preferably supported on the frame such that: i) a height of the transom bracket mount relative to the upright frame is adjustable; ii) a space between the transom bracket mount and the upright frame is adjustable; and iii) the transom bracket mount is angularly adjustable about a lateral axis extending in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame.

According to some embodiments of the invention, when provided in combination with an outboard motor having a transom bracket with fasteners mounted on the transom bracket mount, the transom bracket is supported on the upright frame for movement relative to the upright frame between a loading position in which the fasteners of the transom bracket mounted on the transom bracket mount are readily accessible and a transport position in which the fasteners of the transom bracket mounted on the transom bracket mount are received between the transom bracket and the upright frame.

In one alternatively embodiment the transom bracket mount extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a plane of the upright frame. In this instance, the transom bracket mount is preferably mounted on the upright frame so as to be adjustable in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of carrying an outboard motor a transom bracket arranged to be clamped onto a transom of a boat, the method comprising:

providing an upright frame including opposing front and rear sides;

supporting a harness on the front side of the frame comprising a pair of shoulder straps;

providing a transom bracket mount supported on the upright frame in which the transom bracket mount comprises an upright panel including opposing sides joined at an upper free edge;

supporting the outboard motor entirely on the transom bracket mount by clamping the transom bracket of the outboard motor onto the opposing sides of the upright panel overtop of the upper free edge of the panel of the transom bracket mount such that the outboard motor is supported along the rear side of the upright frame; and

securing the shoulder straps of the harness on the front side of the upright frame over respective shoulders of a user.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method further includes orienting the transom bracket mount to span in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame and adjusting a position of the transom bracket along the transom bracket mount in the lateral direction until a center of gravity of the outboard motor is centered in the lateral direction between the shoulder straps of the harness.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes orienting the transom bracket mount to extend perpendicularly outward from a plane of the upright frame and adjusting a position of the transom bracket mount in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame until a center of gravity of the outboard motor is centered in the lateral direction between the shoulder straps of the harness.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrier device.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the carrier device.

FIG. 3 through 6 are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the carrier device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an auxiliary gas tank for use with the carrier device described herein.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the carrier device.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the device according to FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the mounting configuration of the transom bracket mount of the carrier according to FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the carrier device.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the carrier device according to

FIG. 11.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated an outboard motor carrier device generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The device 10 is particularly suited for use with an outboard motor 12 for carrying the motor on the back of a user.

The device 10 is particularly suited for an outboard motor 12 of the type commonly mounted onto the transom forming a portion of the vertical rear wall of a boat. Typically the motor 12 comprises a motor casing 14 at the top end thereof for supporting an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank therein. An output of the engine is connected to a drive shaft extending downwardly from the casing 14 to a propeller 16 at the bottom end of the motor. A drive shaft casing 18 surrounds the drive shaft between the motor casing and the propeller at the bottom end. The motor further comprises a transom bracket 20 which is arranged to be mounted by extending overtop of the top edge of the transom on a boat for clamping against opposing front and rear faces of the transom. The motor casing 14 and drive shaft casing 18 are pivotal together relative to the transom bracket about a vertical steering axis of the motor.

Although various embodiments of the motor carrier device 10 are described and illustrated herein, the common features of the various embodiments will first be described.

The device 10 includes a frame 22 having a main portion lying generally in an upright plane for spanning a back of the user. The frame 22 generally comprises two upright rails which are parallel and spaced apart from one another to extend vertically along opposing side edges of the frame 22. A plurality of suitable cross members span generally horizontally between the two rails at various heights relative to one another. The front side 24 of the frame is shaped ergonomically for conforming to the shape of the back of the user against which the front side is supported in use.

A suitable harness 26 is supported on the front side of the frame for being secured to the torso of the user. More particularly the harness 26 comprises two shoulder straps 28, each secured at a top anchor adjacent the top end of the frame 22 at respective opposing side rails of the frame and at a bottom end by a bottom anchor secured to the respective side edge of the frame at an intermediate location between the top and bottom ends. The attachment of the shoulder straps to the frame is arranged to be adjustable in height, width, and/or length of the straps for conforming to various users. The harness 26 further comprises a waist belt 30 anchored at opposing sides near the bottom end of the frame for securement about the waist of the user for assisting in supporting the load of the motor and frame on the user.

The device 10 further comprises a transom bracket mount 32 supported on the rear side 34 of the frame opposite the front side 24 supporting the harness thereon. The mount 32 serves to imitate a transom onto which the transom bracket of the motor 12 can be fixedly mounted. The mount 32 generally comprises an upright panel or plate member having flat front and rear surfaces opposite one another and which are joined along a top free edge 36 overtop of which the transom bracket of the motor is arranged to be secured. When the transom bracket of the motor is extended overtop of the top edge of the mount 32 the transom bracket is clamped into engagement with the opposing front and rear vertical faces of the transom bracket mount 32 of the carrier device 10.

The panel defining the bracket mount 32 is arranged to be supported in a generally vertical orientation parallel to the upright plane of the main portion of the frame 22 at a position spaced rearwardly outwardly therefrom to provide room for a portion of the transom bracket 20 of the motor to be received between the transom bracket mount 32 and the main portion of the frame 22.

The mount 32 is supported on the frame at a location spaced below a height of the top anchors of the shoulder strap of the harness at the top end of the frame such that the centre of gravity of the motor supported on the transom bracket mount 32 of the device 10 is positioned at or below the shoulder height of the user.

The mount 32 is supported at opposing ends thereof by two side members 38 which are anchored to opposing upright rails of the frame 22. Each side member 38 is fixed at a forward end on the respective upright rail to extend generally horizontally rearward and parallel and spaced from the other side member 38 towards a respective end of the mount 32 supported at the rear ends of the two side members.

Various mounting methods can be used for supporting the transom bracket mount 32 in fixed relation to the frame 22 of the device while also providing ready access to clamp the transom bracket of the motor onto the mount 32.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the frame 22 is provided with a central opening 40 therein between the front and back sides which is in alignment with the bracket mount 32. Accordingly, when the threaded clamping portion of a transom bracket 22 is inserted between the bracket mount 32 and the frame, access to threaded clamps is provided for tightening the transom bracket by reaching through the opening 40 in the frame.

Alternatively the bracket mount 32 may be supported relative to the frame so as to be readily releasable therefrom using suitable quick release connectors. The panel portion of the bracket mount 32 may be releasably secured to the rearward extending side members 38, or alternatively the side members and the panel of the bracket mount 32 may be releasable together relative to the upright rails of the frame 22.

In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transom bracket mount 32 is supported for vertical sliding movement relative to the frame 22 between a loaded position shown in solid line in FIG. 5 below the top end of the frame and the top anchors of the shoulder straps and a loading position spaced above the uppermost one of the cross members of the frame at the top end of the frame to provide ready access to the threaded clamping portion of the transom bracket 20. A pair of vertically extending channels 42 may be supported along the two upright rails of the frame respectively to form a track upon which the transom bracket mount 32 is vertically slidable between the loaded and loading positions. The channels 42 extend vertically upward beyond the top end of the frame 22 for positioning the mount 32 in the loading position.

Turning now to FIG. 6, the transom bracket mount 32 may also be coupled to the frame for relative pivotal movement about a vertical hinge axis between a loaded position oriented generally parallel to the upright plane of the main portion of the frame 22 shown in broken line in FIG. 6 and a loading position oriented transversely to the main frame as shown in solid line in FIG. 6. The transom bracket may be hinged onto one of the side members fixed onto the frame for clamping to the other side member in a readily releasable manner using quick release connectors. Alliteratively the panel portion of the bracket mount 32 may be pivotal together with one or both of the side members relative to a hinge axis at one of the upright rails of the frame with the opposing free end of the mount 32 of the opposing side member 38 being selectively clamped in the loaded position to the frame.

In each instance above with reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 through 6, when the device is provided in combination with an outboard motor having a transom bracket with fasteners mounted on the transom bracket mount, the transom bracket is supported on the upright frame for movement relative to the upright frame between a loading position and a transport position. In the loading position the fasteners of the transom bracket mounted on the transom bracket mount are readily accessible. In the transport position the fasteners of the transom bracket mounted on the transom bracket mount are received between the transom bracket and the upright frame.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an auxiliary gas tank 44 is illustrated for use with the various embodiments of the carrier device 10 described above. The tank 44 is arranged to be supported releasably on the rear side of the frame 22 below the mounting of the transom bracket mount 32. The tank includes a front side 46 which conforms to the shape of the rear side of the frame 22. As illustrated, recessed channels are provided along opposed vertical edges for receiving portions of the two upright rails of the frame 22 therein. The rear side of the gas tank 44 includes a vertically oriented recessed channel 48 formed therein which is generally concave in profile between two opposed open ends of the channel. The channel is shaped to conform about the shape of the drive shaft casing 18 of the motor received therein in the mounted or loaded position of the motor onto the transom mount 32 of the device 10. The auxiliary tank 44 can be readily released from the frame for being operatively connected to the motor during use of the motor.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 through 10, a further embodiment of the carrier device 10 is shown. In this instance, the upright frame 22 again comprises two upright rails 23 extending upwardly along laterally opposed upright side edges of the frame. The front and rear sides 24 and 34 thus span in the lateral direction between the upright rails 23. The frame also includes crossbars 25 spanning across the bottom of the frame between the upright rails and at one or more intermediate locations along the frame spaced above the bottom end. The frame further comprises flexible material 50 spanning the interior of the frame between the upright rails.

The shoulder straps 28 in this instance are secured by respective top anchors 29 which are joined as a common padded yoke structure which is adjustable in height between three vertically spaced apart mounting locations on the upright frame. Each mounting location comprises an aperture in the flexible material arranged to receive an anchoring strap 52 of the shoulder straps which extends downwardly through the flexible material of the upright frame in a vertical orientation along a central portion 54 of the frame to a bottom end which is adjustably anchored to the frame adjacent the waist belt 30. Aligning the top anchors 29 of the shoulder straps with a respective one of the mounting locations along the central portion 54 and then anchoring the center strap 52 therethrough to the bottom end of the frame at a selected length thus permits the shoulder straps to be anchored at any one of a plurality of vertically spaced positions relative to the frame.

The transom bracket mount 32 in this embodiment similarly comprises a flat panel including parallel front and rear surfaces onto which the transom bracket 20 of the outboard motor is arranged to be clamped. The mount 32 is supported parallel to the plane of the upright frame at a location spaced rearwardly outwardly therefrom. Typically the transom bracket 20 of the motor is mounted onto the mount 32 such that respective fasteners which secure the transom bracket in place are effectively positioned between the mount 32 and the rear side of the upright frame 22. To provide access for releasing the fasteners to remove the motor from the mount on the upright frame, the fasteners can be accessed through two access openings 56 formed in the flexible material of the upright frame. The two access openings 56 are laterally spaced apart on opposing sides of the central portion 54 along which the shoulder strap are adjustable. The openings 56 are typically aligned with the height of transom bracket mount 32 so that the fasteners of the bracket 20 are aligned with the openings.

The bracket mount 32 spans substantially the full width of the upright frame as in the previous embodiments with opposing ends of the mount 32 being fastened to respective ones of the two upright rails of the frame. Each upright rail includes a first mount 58 supported thereon in the form of a vertically oriented plate which is elongate in height along the rear side of the respective rail 23 so that the two first mounts are parallel to one another and project in a common rearward direction from the upright frame.

Each first mount 58 comprises three pairs of mounting apertures at different heights relative to one another such that the transom bracket mount 32 can be supported thereon at any one of three different vertically spaced positions. At the central position the two side members 38 at opposing ends of the transom bracket extend generally horizontally rearward from the upright frame. When mounted at the upper position, the corresponding pair of mounting apertures are angularly offset from the central mounting position such that the side members 38 extend rearwardly at a slight upward inclination to position the motor casing 14 leaning forward closer to the user. Alternatively, the lower mounting position of the mounting apertures corresponds to the two side members extending rearward at a slightly downward incline so that the motor mounted on the transom bracket is effectively tilted downwardly and rearwardly in relation to the central mounting position accordingly to preference of the user. The first mounts 58 thus permit the transom bracket mount 32 and the motor supported thereon to be adjusted vertically relative to the upright frame as well as permitting the mount to be angularly adjustable about a lateral axis extending in the lateral direction between the two upright rails 23.

The two side members 38 in this instance also comprised two plates extending generally rearward parallel to one another having inner ends with vertically spaced apertures for alignment with corresponding apertures of the first mounts by overlapping the inner ends of the side members 38 with the first mounts 58.

The outer ends of the side members 38 each include a plurality of mounting apertures therein at horizontally spaced positions at different distances from the rear of the frame so as to function as a second mount which permits the respective end of the transom bracket mount 32 to be fastened thereto at an adjustable spacing in the rearward direction from the upright frame. Accordingly, a space between the transom bracket mount and the upright frame is adjustable.

In this embodiment, typically the transom bracket mount is oriented in a lateral direction between the opposing upright side members, parallel to a plane of the frame 22, with the position of the transom bracket along the mount 32 being adjusted in the lateral direction until a center of gravity of the motor is centered in the lateral direction between the shoulder straps of the harness. The position of the transom bracket mount relative to the frame is also adjusted such that the center of gravity is positioned as close to the upright frame 22 as possible without interfering with the comfort of the user. The center of gravity is also preferably spaced above the bottom end of the frame and the waist of the user at a location adjacent the shoulders of the user just below the top anchors of the shoulder straps.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, the upright frame is configured similarly to the previous embodiments in that the frame comprises two upright rails 23, however, in this instance, the transom bracket mount 32 comprises a plate having opposed and parallel flat surfaces which are joined at a top free edge 36 such that the mount extends rearward in a vertical plane perpendicularly outward from the upright frame 22. A suitable cross member 25 is provided between the two upright rails 23 onto which the inner end of the mount 32 is fixed. Mounting of the inner end of the mount 32 onto the crossbar 25 is arranged to be adjustable in the lateral direction extending between the two upright rails 23. In this instance the motor is typically mounted in a sideways configuration so that the motor is oriented in the lateral direction while the motor spans primarily in the vertical direction. Typically the position of the transom bracket mount with the motor bracket 20 fastened thereon is together adjusted in the lateral direction between the opposing upright side edges of the upright frame until a center of gravity of the motor is centered in the lateral direction between the shoulder straps and upright rails 23 of the frame.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. An outboard motor carrier device for carrying an outboard motor including a transom bracket arranged to be clamped onto a transom of a boat, the device comprising: an upright frame including opposing front and rear sides; a harness supported on the front side of the frame comprising a pair of shoulder straps arranged to be secured over respective shoulders of a user; and a transom bracket mount supported on the frame, the transom bracket mount comprising an upright panel including opposing sides joined at an upper free edge so as to be arranged to receive the transom bracket of the outboard motor clamped onto the opposing sides of the upright panel overtop of the upper free edge of the panel; the transom bracket mount being positioned on the upright frame such that the transom bracket mount is arranged to wholly support the outboard motor thereon with the outboard motor supported along the rear side of the upright frame.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount is spaced rearwardly outwardly from the rear side of the upright frame opposite the harness.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the shoulder straps are anchored to the frame at a top end of the straps by respective top anchors, the transom bracket mount being supported on the frame spaced below the top anchors of the shoulder straps of the harness.
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount spans substantially a full width in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame.
 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount is substantially parallel to a plane of the upright frame.
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount is positioned on the upright frame so as to be arranged to support a center of gravity of the outboard motor spaced above a bottom end of the upright frame.
 7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the shoulder straps are anchored to the frame at a top end of the straps by respective top anchors and wherein the transom bracket mount is positioned on the upright frame so as to be arranged to support a center of gravity of the outboard motor in proximity to the top anchors.
 8. The device according to claim 1 wherein there is provided at least one access opening in the upright frame extending through the upright frame from the front side to the rear side thereof, said at least one access opening being located in proximity to the transom bracket mount.
 9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said at least one access opening in the upright frame comprises a pair of access openings at laterally spaced apart positions in alignment with the transom bracket mount.
 10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the shoulder straps are anchored to the frame at a top end of the straps by respective top anchors which are adjustable in height along a central portion of the upright frame, the pair of access openings being laterally spaced apart on opposing sides of said central portion of the upright frame.
 11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a pair of upright rails along laterally opposing side edges and at least one crossbar mounted to extend laterally between the upright rails, the transom bracket being supported at opposing ends of the upright rails.
 12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount is supported on the frame so as to be adjustable in height relative to the upright frame.
 13. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount spans in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame and the transom bracket mount is supported on the frame such that a space between the transom bracket mount and the upright frame is adjustable.
 14. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount is angularly adjustable about a lateral axis extending in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame.
 15. The device according to claim 1 in combination with an outboard motor having a transom bracket with fasteners mounted on the transom bracket mount, wherein the transom bracket is supported on the upright frame for movement relative to the upright frame between a loading position in which the fasteners of the transom bracket mounted on the transom bracket mount are readily accessible and a transport position in which the fasteners of the transom bracket mounted on the transom bracket mount are received between the transom bracket and the upright frame.
 16. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transom bracket mount extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a plane of the upright frame.
 17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the transom bracket mount is mounted on the upright frame so as to be adjustable in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame.
 18. A method of carrying an outboard motor a transom bracket arranged to be clamped onto a transom of a boat, the method comprising: providing an upright frame including opposing front and rear sides; supporting a harness on the front side of the frame comprising a pair of shoulder straps; providing a transom bracket mount supported on the upright frame in which the transom bracket mount comprises an upright panel including opposing sides joined at an upper free edge; supporting the outboard motor entirely on the transom bracket mount by clamping the transom bracket of the outboard motor onto the opposing sides of the upright panel overtop of the upper free edge of the panel of the transom bracket mount such that the outboard motor is supported along the rear side of the upright frame; and securing the shoulder straps of the harness on the front side of the upright frame over respective shoulders of a user.
 19. The method according to claim 18 including orienting the transom bracket mount to span in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame and adjusting a position of the transom bracket along the transom bracket mount in the lateral direction until a center of gravity of the outboard motor is centered in the lateral direction between the shoulder straps of the harness.
 20. The method according to claim 18 including orienting the transom bracket mount to extend perpendicularly outward from a plane of the upright frame and adjusting a position of the transom bracket mount in a lateral direction between opposing upright side edges of the upright frame until a center of gravity of the outboard motor is centered in the lateral direction between the shoulder straps of the harness. 